Limerick 0-10

Galway 0-9

By DARREN KELLY AT NOWLAN PARK

LIMERICK’S greatest camogie day in 10 years came at Galway’s expense last Saturday as the Tribesgirls were denied a first All-Ireland under-16 title since 2018 following a dramatic and controversial conclusion.

After overturning a three-point interval deficit, Sharon Glynn’s charges got back level before a move involving Heidi Hesnan led to Mary Bridget Cosgrove being fouled. Katelyn Walsh put them 0-9 to 0-8 ahead.

The momentum was with Galway securing a 16th crown but when referee Andy Larkin harshly pulled centre back Emily Corcoran for steps in the final minute, it revitalised the Shannonsiders who restored parity through Caitlin Ryan.

Limerick tried to exploit the left flank and got inside the Galway defence twice. On the second occasion, Rachel O’Grady held her nerve and put Diarmuid Ryan’s team on course for a first title in this grade.

However, there was one more twist as Larkin gave Galway a free just inside the 65 metre line in the fourth minute of added time. Walsh stepped up again and while she had the power, the ball fell to the left and wide and a replay chance was gone.

“Gutted. I’m sickened for them,” said Galway manager Glynn. “We battled very hard in the second half. I thought the first half alright was going away from us at times. Limerick dictated the game.

“We had some tough words at half-time with them. In fairness, I said ‘leave it all out here. If that’s enough, it’ll be enough.’ And in fairness to them, they did. They stepped up. We’re gone nearly five minutes into injury time and what I felt we get pulled for an awful harsh free.”

Galway got off the mark on four minutes through Nina McKeown. And 60 seconds later, Walsh was taken down. The Craughwell scorer-in-chief opened her account making it 0-2 to 0-0.

Pictured: Galway’s Emma Barrett is chased by Tara Hynes of Limerick during Saturday’s All-Ireland U-16 camogie final at Nowlan Park. Photos: INPHO/Tom Maher.